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Something hopeful is stirring in the Catholic Church, and Patrick Madrid can see it in the numbers.

On a recent episode of The Patrick Madrid Show, Patrick responded to a caller asking about reports of thousands entering the Church in France. What followed was a glimpse of a much bigger story: across the United States and beyond, more people are embracing the Catholic Faith.

Patrick pointed to early 2026 Easter Vigil data from more than 140 dioceses in the United States, showing a 38% increase in people entering the Church through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. In some of the country’s largest dioceses, the numbers were striking. Los Angeles welcomed 8,600, Atlanta 3,400, Galveston 3,000, and Dallas 2,500.

The story is not limited to America. Patrick also noted strong growth in other parts of the world, including France, Spain, Hong Kong, and Singapore. While he acknowledged that the Faith is contracting in some places, the broader trend is one of encouragement and renewal.

“The numbers tell the tale,” Patrick said. “Something’s happening. Something good is happening.”

And that is the real takeaway. These numbers are not just statistics. They are signs of the Lord's work. They represent people who have encountered the truth, responded to God’s invitation, and found a home in the Church.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Something hopeful is stirring in the Catholic Church, and Patrick Madrid can see it in the numbers.
On a recent episode of The Patrick Madrid Show, Patrick responded to a caller asking about reports of thousands entering the Church in France. What followed was a glimpse of a much bigger story: across the United States and beyond, more people are embracing the Catholic Faith.
Patrick pointed to early 2026 Easter Vigil data from more than 140 dioceses in the United States, showing a 38% increase in people entering the Church through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. In some of the country&rsquo;s largest dioceses, the numbers were striking. Los Angeles welcomed 8,600, Atlanta 3,400, Galveston 3,000, and Dallas 2,500.
The story is not limited to America. Patrick also noted strong growth in other parts of the world, including France, Spain, Hong Kong, and Singapore. While he acknowledged that the Faith is contracting in some places, the broader trend is one of encouragement and renewal.
&ldquo;The numbers tell the tale,&rdquo; Patrick said. &ldquo;Something&rsquo;s happening. Something good is happening.&rdquo;
And that is the real takeaway. These numbers are not just statistics. They are signs of the Lord's work. They represent people who have encountered the truth, responded to God&rsquo;s invitation, and found a home in the Church.
<hr>
The best way to listen to the&nbsp;Best of the Week&nbsp;is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out&nbsp;<a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

The Best of the Week

Something Good Is Happening in the Church (The Patrick Madrid Show)

What did the Apostles see when they entered Christ’s tomb on Easter morning? On The Drew Mariani Show, historian Dr. Cheryl White reflected on the burial cloths described in John 20 and why the Shroud of Turin continues to fascinate believers and researchers alike.

Dr. White pointed to the Gospel account of Peter and John finding the burial cloths carefully set apart in the tomb. She noted that this detail reflects a proper Jewish burial and suggests these cloths would not have been casually discarded. Instead, she said, they may have been preserved by the early apostolic community and carried from Jerusalem through Antioch, Edessa, and Constantinople before disappearing in 1204. In her view, the Shroud does not simply “show up” in the Middle Ages.

She also explained why the image remains so mysterious. The Shroud is made of linen, not a photographically sensitive material, and the image is not a painting. What appears on it is “an anatomically accurate and forensically perfect image of a man” who had been scourged, crowned with thorns, crucified in Roman fashion, and pierced in the side. Even more astonishing, Dr. White said the image rests on an extremely thin surface of the cloth, making it both simple to see and difficult to explain.

For Christians during Easter, the Shroud remains a powerful reminder of Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. It does not replace faith, but it can deepen awe before the mystery of what took place in that sealed tomb.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

What did the Apostles see when they entered Christ&rsquo;s tomb on Easter morning? On The Drew Mariani Show, historian Dr. Cheryl White reflected on the burial cloths described in John 20 and why the Shroud of Turin continues to fascinate believers and researchers alike.
Dr. White pointed to the Gospel account of Peter and John finding the burial cloths carefully set apart in the tomb. She noted that this detail reflects a proper Jewish burial and suggests these cloths would not have been casually discarded. Instead, she said, they may have been preserved by the early apostolic community and carried from Jerusalem through Antioch, Edessa, and Constantinople before disappearing in 1204. In her view, the Shroud does not simply &ldquo;show up&rdquo; in the Middle Ages.
She also explained why the image remains so mysterious. The Shroud is made of linen, not a photographically sensitive material, and the image is not a painting. What appears on it is &ldquo;an anatomically accurate and forensically perfect image of a man&rdquo; who had been scourged, crowned with thorns, crucified in Roman fashion, and pierced in the side. Even more astonishing, Dr. White said the image rests on an extremely thin surface of the cloth, making it both simple to see and difficult to explain.
For Christians during Easter, the Shroud remains a powerful reminder of Christ&rsquo;s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. It does not replace faith, but it can deepen awe before the mystery of what took place in that sealed tomb.
<hr>
The best way to listen to the&nbsp;Best of the Week&nbsp;is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out&nbsp;<a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

The Shroud and the Silence of the Tomb (The Drew Mariani Show)

Sometimes the strongest witness is not a speech. It is the quiet, steady example of a faithful marriage.

On Marriage Unhindered, Karen from Traverse City, Michigan told Doug Hinderer about a young man who came to service her air conditioner. In conversation, he revealed to her that he had a girlfriend and a child with her, but that they were not married. Karen said she asked him directly, “Why don’t you marry her?”

What she did not realize was that he had already been paying attention. He had noticed the way Karen’s husband treated her, especially how he opened the car door for her. That small act of love made an impression.

Karen encouraged him again, saying he needed to marry the mother of his child. He did. Now, she said, they have two children and are happily married.

Doug agreed with her point: “You just never know who’s watching, you never know who’s paying attention to you, and you never know who’s learning from your example.”

Karen and her husband have been married 35 years and their story is a reminder that faithful marriages do more than bless a husband and wife. They can help lead others to do the right thing, embrace commitment, and build a family.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Sometimes the strongest witness is not a speech. It is the quiet, steady example of a faithful marriage.
On Marriage Unhindered, Karen from Traverse City, Michigan told Doug Hinderer about a young man who came to service her air conditioner. In conversation, he revealed to her that he had a girlfriend and a child with her, but that they were not married. Karen said she asked him directly, &ldquo;Why don&rsquo;t you marry her?&rdquo;
What she did not realize was that he had already been paying attention. He had noticed the way Karen&rsquo;s husband treated her, especially how he opened the car door for her. That small act of love made an impression.
Karen encouraged him again, saying he needed to marry the mother of his child. He did. Now, she said, they have two children and are happily married.
Doug agreed with her point: &ldquo;You just never know who&rsquo;s watching, you never know who&rsquo;s paying attention to you, and you never know who&rsquo;s learning from your example.&rdquo;
Karen and her husband have been married 35 years and their story is a reminder that faithful marriages do more than bless a husband and wife. They can help lead others to do the right thing, embrace commitment, and build a family.
<hr>
The best way to listen to the&nbsp;Best of the Week&nbsp;is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out&nbsp;<a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

The Power of a Quiet Example (Marriage Unhindered)

Why does Scripture say “by His wounds we are healed” when so many people still carry deep pain? That honest question opened the door to a beautiful reflection from Father Mark Lenneman on The Inner Life.

Father Mark began with a striking truth: the risen Jesus still bears His wounds. He did not leave them behind in the tomb. In fact, those wounds reveal His identity and His glory. They are no longer signs of defeat, but signs of love. As Father Mark explained, Christ’s wounds are “the way in which He wanted to bring His healing into the world.”

That matters for every Christian who wonders why healing can feel slow, hidden, or incomplete. Father Mark did not offer a neat formula. Instead, he spoke with realism and hope. We all carry grievous wounds, and healing often takes trust, perseverance, and repeated surrender. Over time, the Lord can transfigure what once seemed only painful.

One of the most memorable lines from the conversation came when Father Mark said, “Healed people heal people.” Sometimes God removes a burden. But often, His deeper work is to transform our weakness into a place where His grace enters and overflows into the lives of others. Patrick Conley connected this to St. Paul’s words: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”

The hope of the Christian life is not to appear unscarred. It is to become more like Jesus Christ. And the risen Lord has wounds — wounds filled with mercy, wounds that heal.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Why does Scripture say &ldquo;by His wounds we are healed&rdquo; when so many people still carry deep pain? That honest question opened the door to a beautiful reflection from Father Mark Lenneman on The Inner Life.
Father Mark began with a striking truth: the risen Jesus still bears His wounds. He did not leave them behind in the tomb. In fact, those wounds reveal His identity and His glory. They are no longer signs of defeat, but signs of love. As Father Mark explained, Christ&rsquo;s wounds are &ldquo;the way in which He wanted to bring His healing into the world.&rdquo;
That matters for every Christian who wonders why healing can feel slow, hidden, or incomplete. Father Mark did not offer a neat formula. Instead, he spoke with realism and hope. We all carry grievous wounds, and healing often takes trust, perseverance, and repeated surrender. Over time, the Lord can transfigure what once seemed only painful.
One of the most memorable lines from the conversation came when Father Mark said, &ldquo;Healed people heal people.&rdquo; Sometimes God removes a burden. But often, His deeper work is to transform our weakness into a place where His grace enters and overflows into the lives of others. Patrick Conley connected this to St. Paul&rsquo;s words: &ldquo;My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.&rdquo;
The hope of the Christian life is not to appear unscarred. It is to become more like Jesus Christ. And the risen Lord has wounds &mdash; wounds filled with mercy, wounds that heal.
<hr>
The best way to listen to the&nbsp;Best of the Week&nbsp;is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out&nbsp;<a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Something Good Is Happening in the Church (The Patrick Madrid Show)

The Best of the Week

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